Capitol rally supports sales of six-packs in Pa.

HARRISBURG - In Pennsylvania, with few exceptions, there are two places you can get a six-pack: the gym or your corner bar.

Now, a Montgomery County senator is trying to change at least one part of that equation by pushing legislation to update the state's beer laws - many of which date back to Prohibition - to permit grocery and convenience stores, as well as beer distributors, to sell six-packs of beer.

As it stands now, beer drinkers can only purchase cases containing four six-packs at distributors. And although a handful of supermarkets like Wegmans have recently started selling beer, most people who want a six-pack can only get one at a bar or tavern - usually at a steep markup.

"This is about consumer choice," Republican Sen. John Rafferty Jr., the bill's author, said at a rally today at the Capitol to push for a change in the law. "That's the main purpose here . . . That's what we're trying to do by opening up the market."

A few supermarkets have recently been allowed to sell wine and beer at select locations, but for the most part, the state's beer laws don't make it convenient to pick up a six-pack.

"We're interested in seeing that the people of Pennsylvania who want to purchase beer, purchase it where they want to," Rafferty told a crowd of several hundred supporters this morning.

Rafferty's bill would also require 100 percent "carding" – meaning everyone, no matter how old they look, would have to show their driver's license - with electronic verification machines to ensure that minors are not purchasing alcohol illegally.

It would also provide for strengthened enforcement efforts and age compliance checks, to be funded through a $25,000 beer license fee and annual fees of $2,500.

There have been past efforts to change beer laws, all unsuccessful. But the bill's proponents hope the recent momentum of allowing some supermarkets to sell alcohol will ease the resistance by many lawmakers toward changing the law.